SchafbergBahn & WolfgangseeSchifffahrt
Lake Wolfgangsee, located just a stone’s throw from Salzburg City, is a true natural jewel and always worth a visit regardless of the time of year. Once you are there, you will discover a number of appealing highlights, including: ferry service across the turquois lake as well as a ride up into the mountains on a vintage steam railway.
The peak of the Schafberg is really striking, its iconic silhouette fitting perfectly into the idyllic countryside which surrounds Lake Wolfgangsee. The steepest steam-powered cog railway in Austria has run from the town of St. Wolfgang to the top of the Schafberg since back in 1893. The ride up takes 40 minutes, covering a distance of 5.85 kilometers while rising 1,190 meters. Once at the top, breathtaking views of the Salzkammergut and surrounding alpine world reveal themselves to visitors.
The original rolling stock used by the SchafbergBahn dates back to the end of the 19th century, including cog steam locomotives which are some of the oldest still running anywhere in the world. Today, more modern oil-fired locomotives do the lion’s share of the work. The SchafbergBahn operates daily from April until October. If you want to avoid waiting times, simply book your ticket online in advance.
In 1873, regular ferry service on Lake Wolfgangsee was officially “launched” with the maiden voyage of the 33 meters-long paddle steamer “Kaiser Franz Joseph I”. Nowadays, a cruise on this renovated ship is one of those special experiences you won’t soon forget. The fleet consists of a total of six motorized vessels, running daily from May until October as well as on weekends during Advent, in springtime and at Easter. Boat landings are located at St. Gilgen - Fürberg - Ried/Falkenstein - St. Wolfgang Schafbergbahn - St. Wolfgang Markt - Geschwendt (car park) and Strobl.
